Trivia of the Month (Answer)...

This month’s question asked who the first saint of the Americas was.  The answer is Saint Rose of Lima.  Rose died in 1617.

The question (and answer) were taken from p. 83 of the Picture Book of Saints by Lawrence G. Lovasik.  The book was published by Catholic Book Publishing Corporation in 1979.

VITA Free Income Tax Preparation & Filing (Reminder)

Just a repost to remind you about the valuable VITA tax program going on at our branch this spring...

We are very pleased that VITA will be using our branch this year to help people prepare and file their income tax for free.  The volunteers will be available every Saturday beginning January 25 and ending April 11 from 9:30 to 12:30 to help people on a first come first served basis (with the exception of 2/29/20 – we’ll be being used as a vote center)

Tax forms they prepare are Form 1040 (U.S. Individual Income Tax Return) and CA Form 540 (California Resident Income). These services are available to people with household annual income of $56,000 or less. Both spouses must be present for joint returns.

What to bring on the day of your visit:

• A valid CA Driver’s License, ID, or Passport
• Social Security Numbers or ITINs for the Taxpayer, spouse and dependents
• Birth Dates for the Taxpayer, spouse, and dependents (month, date, and year)
• Tax Documents (Forms W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, 1099-INT, 1099-DIV, 1099-MISC, and all other tax documents)
• Blank “voided” check for direct deposit of refund

If this applies to you, also bring:

• All Forms 1095, Health Form Statements
• California Renters’ Credit - Landlord’s name, address, and phone number
• Day Care Providers Information, including total amount paid for day care per child, day care provider’s name, address, phone number, and tax ID number
• Total Education Expenses (books, laptops, etc.)

Arroyo Book Club February Pick…

The Arroyo Book Club will be reading The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson for our February meeting.  In this book Wilkerson examines the great migration of African-Americans from the South by presenting the experience of 3 different individuals.  The book uses the following description:

In this epic, beautifully written masterwork, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Wilkerson chronicles one of the great untold stories of American history: the decades-long migration of black citizens who fled the South for northern and western cities, in search of a better life. From 1915 to 1970, this exodus of almost six million people changed the face of America.

Pick up a copy of the book and make plans to join us for discussion on February 22 at 3:00.

Library Events in February…

(Mark your calendars accordingly)

The library has some interesting events planned in February.  Let me give you a run down so you can plan ahead.  Let’s start with the non-repeating events:

- - - - - - - - - -
2/1 from 9:30-12:30
VITA Income Tax Preparation & Filing
Have a professional do your taxes for free. First come first served. There are income limits so check with branch to make sure you qualify.

2/1 at 1:30
Family Storytime
Celebrate African-American Heritage Month with stories, songs, and flannelboards.

2/2 @ 3:00
Game Day
We’ll be playing Scrabble and Cribbage. Everyone is welcome to join the competition, including novices.

2/3 @ 4:00
Awesome Improv Show
Explore the building blocks of improvisation with Second City’s The Really Awesome Improv Show

2/4 @ 6:00
Círculo de Lectores
Hay café, pastel casero, ye conversación amena sobre el libro que estamos leyendo

2/6 @ 4:00
All Ages Zine Workshop
Create a zine all your own.

2/8 from 9:30-12:30
VITA Income Tax Preparation & Filing
Have a professional do your taxes for free. First come first served. There are income limits so check with branch to make sure you qualify.

2/10 from 2:30-4:30
LA DOT Tap Information Table
Get your TAP card refilled, ask your metro related questions, and more.

2/10 @ 4:00
Valentine Bookmarks
Create a bookmark for your Valentine.

2/10 @ 6:30
Philosophy Discussion Group
Everyone is invited to join us as we work our way through Immanuel Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason.

2/11 @ 3:00
Teen Program
Join us for some teen-riffic fun.

2/15 from 9:30-12:30
VITA Income Tax Preparation & Filing
Have a professional do your taxes for free. First come first served. There are income limits so check with branch to make sure you qualify.

2/15 at 3:30
Resume Review
Bring your resume by for some constructive criticism.  First come first served.

2/18 @ 6:00
Círculo de Lectores
Hay café, pastel casero, ye conversación amena sobre el libro que estamos leyendo

2/22 from 9:30-12:30
VITA Income Tax Preparation & Filing
Have a professional do your taxes for free. First come first served. There are income limits so check with branch to make sure you qualify.

2/22 @ 3:00
Arroyo Book Club
Join us for a lively discussion of The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson.

2/24 @ 4:00
Building Blocks Club
Come show us what you can make.

2/24 @ 6:30
Philosophy Discussion Group
Everyone is invited to join us as we work our way through Immanuel Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason.

- - - - - - - - - -

Each month the library also has a number of ongoing classes & events.  They are:

Grupo de apoyo para la familia - - - Mondays at 10:00

Baby Storytime - - - Tuesdays at 10:30
Stories, songs, and rhymes await babies up to 18 months. (No session on 2/4)

Toddler Storytime - - - Wednesdays at 10:30 
Little Ones’ 3 and under & their grownups are invited to join us for stories, music, & games.

LAPD Read Along - - - Tuesdays at 3:00
Officers from the LAPD read favorite stories with kids.

STAR Volunteer Readers - - - Wednesdays and Thursdays at 3:00 and Saturdays at 2:00
STAR readers present the fun of storytelling and reading to children one-on-one or in small groups. Kids earn a free book to keep after 3 visits.

Drop in Computer Lab - - - Fridays at 3:30
Bring your questions about computers, tablets, eReaders, or other electronic devices.  We will do our best to help you figure out answers.

- - - - - - - - - -

Please do not hesitate to call the library at 323-255-0537 if you have any questions or would like more information.  Remember that you can always check the Branch Page (http://www.lapl.org/branches/arroyo-seco) on the LAPL website for upcoming events or check out the Master Calendar (http://www.lapl.org/whats-on/calendar) where you can search for something specific across multiple branches.

Events for the Week of January 26….

Events going on at the library during the week include:

Monday – 1/27
Grupo de apoyo para la familia at 10:00
Silly Food Storytime at 4:00
Philosophy Discussion Group at 6:30

Tuesday – 1/28
Baby Storytime at 10:30
LAPD Readalong at 3:00

Wednesday – 1/29
Toddler Storytime at 10:30
STAR Reader at 3:00

Thursday – 1/30
STAR Reader at 3:00

Friday – 1/31
Drop in Computer Lab at 3:30

Saturday – 2/1
VITA Free Tax Preparation from 9:30 to 12:30
Family Storytime at 1:30

You can always check the Branch Page (http://www.lapl.org/branches/arroyo-seco) on the LAPL website for upcoming events or check out the Master Calendar (http://www.lapl.org/whats-on/calendar) where you can search for something specific across multiple branches

Resume Review

If you’re interested in some feedback from a complete stranger about the status of your resume consider dropping into our Resume Review session on Saturday, February 15.  We will provide you with feedback about your resume’s grammar, format, and content.  We’ll also answer questions you have about basic resume construction.  Resumes will be reviewed in order of arrival and we’ll begin at 3:30.

Game Day

(of the non-electronic variety)

If you’re in the mood for some good old fashioned board/card gaming make plans to join us on Sunday, February 2 at 3:00.  This time around we’ll be enjoying Scrabble and Cribbage and we welcome all comers --- even complete novices. 

This will be friendly, though there will (of course) be one winner.  Will that be you?  See you there.

…by the way if you have the necessary game boards bring them along…

Events for the Week of January 19….

The library will be closed on Monday in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.  Events going on at the library during the remainder of the week include:

Tuesday – 1/21
Baby Storytime at 10:30
Teen Magnet Magnifying Crystals at 3:00
LAPD Readalong at 3:00
Círculo de Lectores at 6:00

Wednesday – 1/22
Toddler Storytime at 10:30
STAR Reader at 3:00

Thursday – 1/23
STAR Reader at 3:00

Friday – 1/24
Drop in Computer Lab at 3:30

Saturday – 1/25
Arroyo Book Club meets at 3:00

You can always check the Branch Page (http://www.lapl.org/branches/arroyo-seco) on the LAPL website for upcoming events or check out the Master Calendar (http://www.lapl.org/whats-on/calendar) where you can search for something specific across multiple branches

Human Errors

In Human Errors Nathan H. Lents provides a description of human anatomy that focuses on where things go wrong.  Rather than eulogizing humans as the epitome of evolution he shines a spotlight on just where evolution has failed us.  Lents goes from our poorly designed, or at least not completely evolved, knees to our bad backs, to our tendency to dietary issues, to our propensity for misinterpreting data and beyond in this book that is aimed directly at the non-expert.

The book is fascinating and I would heartily recommend it to anyone.

Trivia of the Month...

This month’s trivia question is who was the first saint of the Americas?

January’s eResource of the Month

The January eResource of the Month is Universal Class.   Universal Class contains over 500 free, online, non-credit, continuing education courses that can be taken through the library’s website.  Courses are self-paced but there is a teacher leading them.  This teacher is there to answer questions and to monitor and assess your progress.  The courses are designed to be completed in 10 to 20 hours.  Subjects available for study include but are not limited to: business, career training, computer training, cooking, real estate, crafts & hobbies, and psychology.  You are given 6 months to complete the course once you sign up and may take up to 5 at a time.

Find Universal Class via the library website’s Research & Homework page under U and sign up with your library card. (http://www.lapl.org/collections-resources/research-and-homework#U). 

Events for the Week of January 12….

Events going on at the library during the week include:

Monday – 1/13
Grupo de apoyo para la familia at 10:00
LA DOT Tap Information Table from 2:30-4:30
Make Slime at 4:00
Philosophy Discussion Group at 6:30

Tuesday – 1/14
Baby Storytime at 10:30
LAPD Readalong at 3:00

Wednesday – 1/15
Toddler Storytime at 10:30
STAR Reader at 3:00

Thursday – 1/16
STAR Reader at 3:00

Friday – 1/17
Drop in Computer Lab at 3:30

You can always check the Branch Page (http://www.lapl.org/branches/arroyo-seco) on the LAPL website for upcoming events or check out the Master Calendar (http://www.lapl.org/whats-on/calendar) where you can search for something specific across multiple branches

History of Highland Park…

Returning to the topic of the Highland Park symphony… This 5/19/84 article “Orchestra Brings World of Music to the Community” provides a detailed look at that organization. A fascinating look at a local cultural landmark.

VITA Free Income Tax Preparation & Filing

We are very pleased that VITA will be using our branch this year to help people prepare and file their income tax for free.  The volunteers will be available every Saturday beginning January 25 and ending April 11 from 9:30 to 12:30 to help people on a first come first served basis (with the exception of 2/29/20 – we’ll be being used as a vote center)

Tax forms they prepare are Form 1040 (U.S. Individual Income Tax Return) and CA Form 540 (California Resident Income). These services are available to people with household annual income of $56,000 or less. Both spouses must be present for joint returns.

What to bring on the day of your visit:

• A valid CA Driver’s License, ID, or Passport
• Social Security Numbers or ITINs for the Taxpayer, spouse and dependents
• Birth Dates for the Taxpayer, spouse, and dependents (month, date, and year)
• Tax Documents (Forms W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, 1099-INT, 1099-DIV, 1099-MISC, and all other tax documents)
• Blank “voided” check for direct deposit of refund

If this applies to you, also bring:

• All Forms 1095, Health Form Statements
• California Renters’ Credit - Landlord’s name, address, and phone number
• Day Care Providers Information, including total amount paid for day care per child, day care provider’s name, address, phone number, and tax ID number
• Total Education Expenses (books, laptops, etc.)

Events for the Week of January 5….

Events going on at the library during the week include:

Monday – 1/6
Grupo de apoyo para la familia at 10:00
Building Blocks Club at 4:00

Tuesday – 1/7
Baby Storytime at 10:30
Teen Program at 3:00
LAPD Readalong at 3:00
Círculo de lectores at 6:00

Wednesday – 1/8
Toddler Storytime at 10:30
STAR Reader at 3:00
Telescope Night at 6:00

Thursday – 1/9
STAR Reader at 3:00

Friday – 1/10
Drop in Computer Lab at 3:30

Saturday – 1/11
Paper Craft Program at 11:00

You can always check the Branch Page (http://www.lapl.org/branches/arroyo-seco) on the LAPL website for upcoming events or check out the Master Calendar (http://www.lapl.org/whats-on/calendar) where you can search for something specific across multiple branches

Arroyo Book Club’s January Pick…

The Arroyo Book Club will be reading Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders for its January meeting.  The library’s catalog provides the following summary to describe this book:

“On February 22, 1862, two days after his death, Willie Lincoln was laid to rest in a marble crypt in a Georgetown cemetery. That very night, shattered by grief, Abraham Lincoln arrives at the cemetery under cover of darkness and visits the crypt, alone, to spend time with his son's body. Willie finds himself in a strange purgatory-- the bardo-- where ghosts commiserate quarrel, and enact bizarre acts of penance ... and where a struggle erupts over his soul.

Set over the course of that one night and populated by ghosts of the recently passed and the long dead, Lincoln in the Bardo is a thrilling exploration of death, grief, the powers of good and evil, a novel - in its form and voice - completely unlike anything you have read before. It is also, in the end, an exploration of the deeper meaning and possibilities of life, written as only George Saunders can: with humor, pathos, and grace.”

The audiobook version of this title is reputed to be truly excellent so give it a try if you want to experience a book in a different way.

In any event, stop by the library for a copy of the book and make plans to join us for discussion on January 25 at 3:00.